Henry Segerstrom Receives Prestigious Carnegie Hall Honor

Orange County's patriarch of culture Henry Segerstrom received the Medal of Excellence for outstanding philanthropic leadership in the arts from Carnegie Hall at a gala in his honor June 7th in New York City. The fete, held at The Waldorf-Astoria's elegant Starlight Roof, drew 350 guests, including a strong Orange County contingent, and raised more than $1.5 million to benefit Carnegie Hall's artistic and education programs. Among those attending the black-tie affair were, from left, Macy's President/CEO and 2008 Medal of Excellence honoree Terry Lundgren, honorary artist co-chair Renee Fleming, Carnegie Hall Board of Trustees Chairman Sanford Weill, and Elizabeth and Henry Segerstrom. JULIE SKARRATT

It was Henry's night. Henry Segerstrom, the patriarch of Orange County culture, was presented the Medal of Excellence by Carnegie Hall, one of only four such honors bestowed by the illustrious 108-year-old institution. The celebration took place June 7th in New York City at The Waldorf= Astoria's Starlight Roof with a full house of 350 guests, including many of New York's cultural elite, a strong Orange County contingent and several celebrities of note. There were smiles all-round - none more so than the honoree's.

The bejeweled black-tie crowd dined at tables centered by huge glass cylinders filled with lima beans, a tribute to the Segerstrom family's roots as lima bean farmers when immigrating from Sweden to Orange County in the early 20th century. Elegant birch branches accented with white orchids completed the display. Guests dined on grilled lobster salad, a tenderloin of beef grilled to perfection and a scrumptious chocolate/raspberry cadeau before the tributes began.

Segerstrom, honored by Carnegie Hall for his business acumen and philanthropic leadership as Managing Partner of C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, developer of South Coast Plaza, and as Founding Chairman of the Orange County Performing Arts Center, was lauded by Carnegie Hall Executive and Artistic Director Clive Gillinson, who said of the honoree, "Henry has literally transformed the economic and the cultural landscape of Orange County in a most remarkable way." In a surprise gesture, Gillinson presented a proclamation from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg declaring June 7 "Segerstrom Center for the Arts Day."

Sanford Weill, Carnegie Hall's Chairman and gala honorary chair along with California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, lauded Segerstrom's recent help in launching Carnegie Hall's bi-coastal partnership with the Philharmonic Society of Orange County. "Henry has been the driving force in bringing Carnegie Hall's major international festivals to the West Coast," Weill said.

Macy's Chairman, President and CEO Terry Lundgren, who received the 2008 Medal of Excellence, presented the award to Segerstrom. Store Manager of Bullocks South Coast Plaza when he was 28 years old, Lundgren declared, "You had the vision from the early days," congratulating Segerstrom on helping create a world-class arts center across from South Coast Plaza in order to bring "sophisticated clientele to shop in your stores," as he put it.

Segerstrom, declaring the moment "more emotional than I thought it would be," expressed his sincere thanks to Carnegie Hall. Crediting his success to his belief, "If we're going to do it, let's don't be second best," he also stated, "It takes a team, and in my case, Elizabeth." Henry's wife, Elizabeth Segerstrom, rose to jubilant applause at her husband's kind words. Honorary Artist Co-Chairs WilliamFriedkin and Renee Fleming proposed a champagne toast to the honoree, who was clearly moved by the tribute.

Also in attendance were the CEOs and senior executives of many of the luxury brands which have a presence at South Coast Plaza, including Christian Dior, Cartier (who hosted a cocktail party in Segerstrom's honor the night before at its Fifth Avenue mansion), Louis Vuitton, Hermes of Paris, Tiffany & Co., Giorgio Armani, Harry Winston, Lalique, Piaget, Montblanc, Valentino, Van Cleef & Arpels, Loro Piana, Yves Saint Laurent, and many more.

Guests departed with burlap bags of Segerstrom lima beans, along with a recipe for the famous Segerstrom Family Lima Bean Soup. Don't laugh. It is delicious!

Orange County's patriarch of culture Henry Segerstrom received the Medal of Excellence for outstanding philanthropic leadership in the arts from Carnegie Hall at a gala in his honor June 7th in New York City. The fete, held at The Waldorf-Astoria's elegant Starlight Roof, drew 350 guests, including a strong Orange County contingent, and raised more than $1.5 million to benefit Carnegie Hall's artistic and education programs. Among those attending the black-tie affair were, from left, Macy's President/CEO and 2008 Medal of Excellence honoree Terry Lundgren, honorary artist co-chair Renee Fleming, Carnegie Hall Board of Trustees Chairman Sanford Weill, and Elizabeth and Henry Segerstrom. JULIE SKARRATT
Actor Michael York, left, attended the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence gala at The Waldorf Astoria with his wife Pat, right. Michael was an honorary artist co-chair for the prestigious affair. JULIE SKARRATT
Among the array of CEOs and senior executives attending the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence gala honoring arts philanthropist Henry Segerstrom were Christian Dior President Pamela Baxter, left, and Executive Vice President Karen Watkins. With Segerstrom's leadership as Managing Partner of C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, developer of South Coast Plaza, many of the South Coast Plaza luxury boutiques were represented at the gala. JULIE SKARRATT
Carnegie Hall 2010 Medal of Excellence honoree Henry Segerstrom, left, being presented the honor by 2008 Medal of Excellence honoree Terry Lundgren, who is Macy's Chairman, President and CEO. Segerstrom's honor for his outstanding leadership in the arts marks the fourth time the honor has been bestowed and the first time to someone outside of New York. JULIE SKARRATT
South Coast Plaza was well represented at the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence gala honoring Henry Segerstrom, Managing Partner of C.J. Segerstrom & Sons, the developer of the #1 retail center in the country. From left, were Director of Real Estate Barney Page, Executive Director of Marketing Debra Gunn Downing and General Manager David Grant. JULIE SKARRATT
Judy Morr, left, Executive Vice President of the Orange County Performing Arts Center, attended the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence gala honoring Henry Segerstrom at The Waldorf-Astoria on June 7. With her, from left, are guests Arthur Cohen of LaPlaca Cohen and Philippa Polskin of Ruder Finn. JULIE SKARRATT
Suzan Paek, who attended the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence gala honoring Henry Segerstrom at The Waldorf Astoria, wore a gorgeous red Christian Dior gown for the gala affair. JULIE SKARRATT
Other Orange County Performing Arts Center executives attending the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence gala honoring arts philanthropist Henry Segerstrom, who is Founding Chairman of OCPAC, were Vice President of Marketing and Communications Todd Bentjen, left, and Vice President of Development Tom West, right. Joining them, center, is Sharon Ruebsteck of Ruder Finn. JULIE SKARRATT
Attending the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence gala honoring Henry Segerstrom for his philanthropic work in the arts were his children, from left, Anton Segerstrom, Andrea Grant and Toren Segerstrom. JULIE SKARRATT
Among the 350 guests attending Carnegie Hall's Medal of Excellence gala honoring Henry Segerstrom at The Waldorf Astoria on June 7 were his nephew Richard Moriarty, right, and his wife Loren Blackwood. JULIE SKARRATT
Also attending the Carnegie Hall Medal of Excellence gala honoring arts philanthropist Henry Segerstrom was Philharmonic Society of Orange County President Dean Corey, left, with his lovely wife Kaly. Carnegie Hall's partnership with the Segerstrom Center for the Arts, which brings live festival programming to the West Coast, is presented by the Philharmonic Society and other prominent partner institutions in the county. JULIE SKARRATT
Opera star and acclaimed mezzo soprano Denyce Graces entertained the 350 guests attending Carnegie Hall's Medal of Excellence gala honoring arts philanthropist Henry Segerstrom. Graves sang Cole Porter's "I Love Paris," a personal request of Mr. Segerstrom. JULIE SKARRATT
Carnegie Hall Executive and Artistic Director Clive Gillinson presenting the proclamation from New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg to Medal of Excellence honoree Henry Segerstrom declaring July 7 "Segerstrom Center for the Arts Day." JULIE SKARRATT
Carnegie Hall's Medal of Excellence gala at The Waldorf Astoria's Starlight Roof. JULIE SKARRATT
Elizabeth Segerstrom wearing an Oscar de la Renta creation at The Waldorf Astoria June 7th where her husband Henry Segerstrom received Carnegie Hall's prestigious Medal of Excellence award for his outstanding philanthropic leadership in the arts. JULIE SKARRATT
R.J. Brandes, right, attended the glittering black-tie affair at The Waldorf Astoria honoring his friend Henry Segerstrom. Brandes, a gala co-chair, attended with Adrienne Brennan, left. JULIE SKARRATT
Gordon Clune and Elizabeth An were among the 350 guests attending the Carnegie Hall tribute to Henry Segerstrom at The Waldorf Astoria in New York City on June 7. An was a gala vice-chair. JULIE SKARRATT
William Friedkin was an honorary artist co-chair at the Carnegie Hall tribute to Henry Segerstrom on June 7 at The Waldorf Astoria in New York City. JULIE SKARRATT
Among the 350 guests attending Carnegie Hall's Medal of Excellence gala honoring arts philanthropist Henry Segerstrom were, from left, Betty Huang, Moira Kamgar, Elizabeth An and Ishani Dhillon. The women were a part of the Orange County contingent attending the gala. JULIE SKARRATT

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